League of Friends chairman Peter Corfield said: “We must draw the line between what is insulting to people and what is actually attracting attention to the good cause… Looking at the reaction we’ve had from around the world, I don’t think we’re out of step.”

Mr Corfield said the league was looking “for something that would produce a long-term local benefit” and it discovered two new community first responders were about to start training.

Community first responders are “volunteers and have to fund their own equipment,” he said.

Image copyrightGoogleImage caption The money had been earmarked to provide ECG machines for the outpatients and minor injuries departments

Previously, Jan Ditheridge, chief executive of Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust, said: “The presentation of men dressed as female nurses in a highly-sexualised and demeaning way is wrong, very outdated and insulting to the profession.

“We have previously asked that this doesn’t happen and therefore don’t think it’s right to accept any money associated with this activity.”